Apparatus for handling and filling envelopes



Dec. 8, 1959 E. w. KUMMER 2,915,863

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FILLING ENVELQPES Filed NOV. 15, 1954 '7Sheets-Sheet 1 F: 5 INVENTOR ERA/.57 1 1 KUMMEA BY JM ATTORNEYSAPPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FILLING ENVELOPES Filed m. 15, 1954 Dec. 8,1959 E. w. KUMMER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fR/vsr W- Ku/ /MER BY MATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1959 w, KUMMER 2,915,863

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FILLING ENVELOPES Filed NOV. 15, 1954 p 7Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ERA/s7- W. Kt/MMER i=1? 5 BY aw,

ATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1959 w, KUMMER I 2,915,863

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FILLING ENVELOPES Filed NOV. 15, 1954 '7Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ER/vsr W KuMMER BY JM MWA AT'fORNEYJ 8, 1959 E.w. KUMMER 2,915,863

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FILLING ENVELOPES '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Film!NOV. 15, 1954 INVENTOR Dec. 8, 1959 E. w. KUMMER APPARATUS FOR HANDLINGAND FILLING ENVELOPES F1104 NOV. 15, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 fmvsr W.Kl/MMER ATTORNEY6 Dec. 8, 1959 w, KUMMER 2,915,863

I APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FILLING ENVELOPES Filed NOV. 15, 1954 7Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR ERNST W KUMMER BY ,JMIM9W ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FILLING ENVELOPES Ernst W.Kummer, Berlin, Germany Application November 15, 1954, Serial No.468,927

10 Claims. (Cl. 53-117) This invention relates to apparatus for handlingand filling envelopes and more particularly. to envelope handlingapparatus per se and in special association with means for insertingmaterial into the envelopes.

The mechanism herein disclosed provides high speed successive feeding ofenvelopes which are opened and stuifed with folded sheets alone or withother material such as single or prefolded sheets. Empty unsealedenvelopes to be processed are stacked in a magazine from the bottom ofwhich they are automatically removed one at a time and delivered to afilling station funnel. After the envelopes are filled they arepreferably automatically delivered to a flap closing and sealingmechanism, and

after sealing they are positively ejected for delivery to other machinesfor further processing as may be required or for manual handling. 1

It is accordingly the primary purpose and object of the presentinvention to provide improved apparatus for feeding and fillingenvelopes automatically and at higher speeds than heretofore obtained.

It isa further object to provide improved mechanisms for the purposewhich are compact and mechanically simple and capable of high speedautomatic operation.

It is an additional object to provide envelope filling machines whichare adjustable readily for adapting them to standard size sheet foldingand feeding mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel apparatus forextracting envelopes in succession from the bottom of a stack andfeeding them onto a funnel where they are filled with one or moreinserts and then removed from the funnel.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel combinationof the foregoing with an envelope sealing device.

A further'object of the invention is to provide a novel envelope feedingmechanism wherein the envelope flap is first opened and the openedenvelope pushed onto a funnel and there held to receive fillingmaterial;

A further object is to provide an envelope feeding roller pass which isclosed to grip the envelope only after the envelope flap has been openedand thrust into the pass.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel automaticenvelope feeding apparatus whereby the flap of the bottommost envelopeof a stack of empty unsealed envelopes is opened and inserted into afeeding mechanism for withdrawing the envelope from the stack.

A further object is to provide in such mechanism a novel swingable feedroller carrying support operated in timed relation to the rest of theapparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel funnel widthadjustment for adapting it todifi'erent envelope sizes.

A further object is to provide simple novel movement of the funnelthrough a small angle from envelope filling to envelope ejectingposition. t

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel envelopeextraction feature whereby the funnel is actiwalls 47. Set. screws 50secure each hook 42 t'ohtheshaft 44 and permit adjustment of each hookabout the,

2 l n vated during the early part of movement of the envelope thereuntoto tilt that envelope slightly to avoid being accidentally interlockedwith the flap of the envelope next above in the stack. V j Theconstruction and operation of the apparatus together with the abovestated and additional objects of invention will become apparent as'thedescription proceeds inconnection with the accompanying drawingsinwhich'zj' Figure -1 is a generally perspective view illustrative'of amachine according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is afragmentary view of an envelope handling operation; Y

Figure 3 is a sideelevation partly diagrammatic and partly in section ofthe above illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 1

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the apparatus of-Figure 1 as viewed fromthe left with the paper feed, motor andother parts eliminated forclarity; 4 4

Figures 5 and 6 are top and end views of a funnel structure; V

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view showing the envelope i feeding rollers intwo operative positions;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing the pivoted funnel and controllinkage;

Figures 9 and 10 are fragmentary views showing the envelope sealingdevice and control-linkage;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of apparatus according;

to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of apparatus according to still a furtherembodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of a funnel detailcorresponding to Figure 12; and l Figures 14 and 15 are fragmentary endand top plan views respectively of a funnel width adjustment. r

the envelope filling funnel 26, the sheet folding and feed-,-

ing mechanism indicated generally at 28, the filled envelope ejectorrollers 30, and the envelope closing and sealing mechanism 32. Thesecomponents are compact ly arranged and mounted on a stand indicatedgenerally at 34 and are actuated in predetermined timed relation as willbe described in detail. 7 V

A generally conventional sheet-feeding mechanism is indicated generallyat 36 and it will be understood that this mechanism per se forms no partof the invention may be replaced by an equivalent sheet feeder.

The envelope magazine 20 is in the form of a generally vertical chuteand isadapted to contain a stack of empty unsealed envelopes 38 disposedwith their sealing fiaps' 40 closed and disposed below the body of theenvelope at the left as viewed in Figure 3. Magazine 20 is sufiicientlyopen at its lower end to permit the bottommost;

envelope 38 to be withdrawn from the magazine toward the left in Figure3 during each successive cycle of op-j The bottom surface of themagazine is provided with one or more openings 21 to permit the entryeration.

of the envelope opening mechanism 22.

T he illustrated envelope opening mechanism includestwo laterally spacedhooks 42 which have sharp tips-43 at their upper ends and their lowerends fixed uponla transverse shaft 44 journalled as at 46 in the standside shaft axis as well as longitudinal slidable adjustment,

along the shaft, to locate the hooks 42 in optimum loca-; tion forproper opening of the bottommost envelope 381:1:

the stack.

A lever 45 is rigidly secured intermediate itsehds t6 48 anchored to thewall at 4 9 constantly biases lever 45,

' 44 adjacent one sidewall 47 and a tension spring.

shaft 44 and hooks 42 counterclockwise in Figure 3. Levertrgansversescamshaft -52 whichis journalled at opposite ends insidewalls 47; and carries. outside one side'wall a large gear 53 constantlymeshed with aismaller gear v54 fixedupon a transverse drive shaft 55also journalled on i parts and for a purpose to appear.

5 ;Drive;shaft 55 has fixed theretoa feed roller 65 which iscoveredtwithrubber or like frictionqmaterialaand this roller comprisesone side of th e envelope'feeding roller 1The'other sideof the envelopefeeding .roller pass in this embodiment comprises laterally short spaced.coaxialrubber or like friction rollers 66 mounted on arockable frameassembly 67 that is rigid with a rock shaft' 68 supported at oppositeends in side wall pivots. Usually rollers 66 are mounted on oppositeends of a transverse axle 69'freely rotatablymounted in frame 67;

Outside one side wall47, rock shaft 68 has rigidly connected thereto one'end of a lever 71 (Figure 7) that is biased as by tension spring 72against a cam 73 fixed on} camshaft 52; Cams 51 and 73 are located onopposite sides of the same side wall 47. The end of spring 72 notconnected to lever'71is ancholredon that side wall 47.

Thus motor driven rotatin-ofshaft 52 effects, through. the-coaction ofcam 73 and spring 72, rocking movement -of;frame 67- between the fulland dotted lines shown in Figure 7. When the parts are in the full lineposition of Figure 7,-t he envelope feeding pass is closed'as will ap-PW prises anup'per plate 74 and a lower plate 75 mounted in fixed spacedrelation upon a rock shaft 76., The space indicated at 70 isadapted toreceive folded sheets as will appear. An arm77 also fixed on shaft 76 ispivoted'at 78 topneend of a link 79 having its, other end; pivoted at.81 ,to a lever 82 pivoted at its lower end at 83 on wall 47.

82is urged against a 'cam 8'7fi xed on camshaft 52 between gear 53 andadjacent wall 47. -Thus when c amshaft 52 rotates the funnel 26 ispivoted between the full and dotted line position of Figure 3 for apurpose to be described. e a

'At opposite sides of thefunnel are preferably provided spaced parallelarcuate surfaces 75 whichfunction to open the envelope body as theenvelope is being pushed onto.,the funnel. Spaced bottom elements 75"are also provided on the funnel adjacent its upper end to further opentheenvelope and maintain it open. With reference to. Figure it will benoted that upper plate 74 isformed witharcuate diverging surfaces 74'which aid in the envelope opening action. At its lower end. plate 74 isnotched at 74" so that the operator may grip the envelope and contentsif it is necessary to strip the envelope by hand.

The sealing and closing assembly 32 includes a fixed position heatingelement 88 which issecured to and extends ,between the side Walls of thestand and is heated byfany suitable means such as an electricalresistance element (not shown). An angula rly dispersed support plate89is rotatably mounted on a transverse shaft 91 journalled atits oppositeends in the side walls.- Also rotatably mounted on the shaft 91 isacompression plate The envelope funnel 26, Figures 3 and ;8, com-.'.

urges arm 107 against a cam 109 fixed onshaft 52. stop 93 is providedwith a rigid arm 111 (Figure 9) piv- 2,916,868 '9 r r a r and 93normally occupy the positions shown in Figure 3 before the start of anoperation cycle, the plates 89 and 92 forming an upwardly open 'troughand the stop 93 being disposed horizontally below a vertical slot 94 inplate 89. These members are independently actuated by cam and leversystems nowv to be described to effect the envelope closing, sealing anddelivery operations.

Plate 89 is pivoted at 96 to one end of a link 97 in turn"pivotallyattached'at its opposite end at 98 to the lower end of a lever 99pivoted at its upper end at 101 to a side plate 47. Lever 99 is urged bytension spring 102 against a cam 103 non-rotatably mounted on cam shaft52. Plate 92 is similarly pivoted at 104'to one end of a link 105pivoted at 10.6 at its other end to a lever 107 also pivoted on thestand side wall at 101. A spring 108 The oted at 112 to a link 113eccentrically attached as at 114 to thegear 53. 1

"Just inside each side wall 47 are mounted leaf springs 115, as on fixedpins 116, and 'springs'115 provide arcuate upwardly facing surface thatprevent undesired droppingof the envelopes off the funnel as Willappear.

At their'lower ends springs 115 are formed with loops 117 that reactwith the envelope flap during sealing as will appear.

' The illustrative sheet feeding assembly disclosed herein by way .ofexample also includes the feeder mechanism 36 which is effectiveto'advance the uppermost ofa stack of single paper sheets 120 ormulti-page units mounted upon a fixed support 121. The mechanism at 36includes one or more paper contacting members 122 which is usuallycorrugated rubber rollers mounted on an axle journalled in the end of anarm 123 pivoted to the upper end of an actuating lever 125 pivoted. at126 on support 121. Rollers'122 rest by gravity on the uppermost of thestack ofsheets 120 and are reciprocated during operation between thedotted and full line positions shownin Figure 3. jActuating lever 125 ispivoted at 127 to a link 128 Aftension spring 84 anchored upon wall 47at 85 is hooked onto link 79 and thereby. a cam follower roller 86 onlever which in turn is eccentrically pivoted at 129 to gear 53.

- The sheets 120 are delivered to a pass formed by'upper and lowerrubber covered feeding rolls 130 and 131 mountedon shafts 132 and'133respectively, journalled in the side walls 47 of the stand andpreferably urged together under'spring pressure as at 130' in Figure 1suffi-' cient to feed the sheets and at the same time accommodatedifferent thicknesses. A smooth surfaced guide 134 is provided fromsupport 121 to the entrance of this pass. Adrive gear 135 (Figures '1'and 4) is fixed on'shaft 133. On'the. other side of this pass is theopen mouth of a first fold chute 136 formed by spaced plates slotted at137 to receiveone or more'paper stop pins 138 all fixed upon atransverserod 139 thatextends between walls 47, and rod 139 may beadjusted about its axis as by set screws 141 for shifting stop pins 138along the slots 137 as desired. f

Roller 131 and a similar parallel rubber covered roller 142 mounted on:a shaft 143 form a second paper feed pass on the other side of which isdisposed the open month of the second'fo'ld chute'1 44 preferably aduplicate of chute 136 and s1'otted'at'145 to receive stop pins 1'46'adjustable about the axis supporting rod 147. v

' when shaft 59,. is driven all of the paper feed roller passes are.activated. 7 a

- The envelope. ejector arrangementat 30 comprises a shaft 151'journalled' in walls 47 and carrying a pulley 152 connected by belt 153to the motor shaft pulley.

Fixed. on 'shaft151 are. spaced rubber drive. rollersj 154 having a stopprojection 93. ,:I fl ef1mem bers 89,92 15 which :When thefunnel 26..is..down as. inFigurei8 are.

adapted to strip the filled envelope off the funnel and allow it to dropinto the sealing device 32.

When the operation cycle starts the parts are in the full line positionsof Figure 3 except for funnel 26 and frame 67 which at the time are inthe dotted positions of Figure 3. The motor 64 is activated by asuitable foot or hand switch (not shown) and the belt and pulley systemdrives shafts 52, 55, 59 and 151.

The sequence of operation is that first the hooks 42 open the flap ofthe bottommost envelope of the stack, then the funnel 26 starts to swingfrom the Figure 8 position to the Figure 3 solid line position and frame67 swings from its dotted line position of Figure 3 toward roller 65,with the paper feed at 36 advancing the topmost sheet or unit toward theinitial sheet feed pass 130, 131. The parts are so synchronized that thefront edge of sheet 120 enters the feed pass just as rollers 66 engagethe envelope flap with enough pressure to provide a feeding action withroller 65. As the sheet is being folded in mechanism 28, the envelope isbeing fed onto funnel 26. After the envelope is on the funnel, thefunnel is pivoted down toward the Figure 8 position, usually just as theZ-folded sheet is inserted into it. When it reaches the Figure 8position, funnel 26 (see Figure 2) pushes the envelope against therollers 154 which strip the envelope off the funnel and drop it towardthe sealing device 32.

Referring to Figure 3, as cam 51 rotates counterclockwise hooks 42 rockcounterclockwise under the influence of spring 48 until tips 43 enterbetween fiap 40 and the body of the bottommost envelope of the stack,and by the time that hooks 42 reach the dotted line position of Figure 3they have opened fiap 40 into substantial alignment with the envelopebody and moved the flap into the feed pass bearing against the undersideof roller 65 where it remains as the low portion of the cam engageslever 45.

Then (Figure 8) by that time cam 87 has rotated to a position where itstarts funnel 26 moving about pivot 76 toward the full line position ofFigure 3, and at about the same time cam 73 has reached the positionwhere it starts rocking frame 67 clockwise about pivot 68 toward thefull line position of Figures 3 and 7. Also by this time eccentricallydriven link 128 has started to activate mechanism 36 to feed the uppersheet of paper toward the roller pass 130, 131.

As the funnel 26 approaches its full line position of Figure 3 theenvelope flap 40 is engaged by the rising top of the funnel (Figure 2)thereby insuring that flap 40 is straight in the feed pass when it isgripped between rollers 65 and 66, and the envelope is then fed towardand over the now aligned open end of the funnel. At the same time theleading edge of sheet 120 has been propelled by pass 130, 131 into thefolding chutes of assembly 28.

During the initial entry of the envelope onto funnel 26, the funnel isgiven a slight downward tilt insufficient to interfere with forwardfeeding of the envelope but nevertheless sufficient to perform a veryimportant function that eliminates possible jamming of the machine wherewindow envelopes are fed, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. Thefunction is obtained in this embodiment by a slight lowering of the camsurface at 80. It has been found that in the case of closely stackedwindow envelopes, the window with its transparent sheet closed openingbeing disposed upwardly, difficulties have arisen due to the next aboveflap becoming hooked into the window opening edge and becoming pulledout prematurely. This difficulty has been entirely removed by soslightly tilting the funnel as soon as the envelope being fed onto ithas advanced far enough to be correspondingly tilted down out ofpossible reach of the flap of the next above flap but before the windowsection of the envelope being fed reaches that next above flap.

In the meantime the sheet 120 is advanced and is, being 6. folded andadvanced into the open end of funnel 26., As shaft 52 rotates, gear 53through link 128, lever 125 and arm 123 causes horizontal reciprocationof rollers 122 to the right in Figure 1 to feed the upper sheet or unitof stack 120 into the roller pass 130, 131 which advances the sheet intochute 136. As soon as the sheet front edge strikes stop pins 138 furtherfeed of the roller pass creates a first fold in the space near the chutemouth. This fold diverts into the roller pass 131, 142 which thenadvances the sheet fold first into chute 144 until it strikes stop pins146 and further sheet feed creates a second fold in the space throughthe chute mouth. This second fold is opposite in direction to the firstfold to thereby create a Z-folded sheet that is delivered through pass142, 148 to the funnel 26.

While the above described apparatus for forming an accordion or Z-foldedsheet is adequate, it will be understood that for purposes of theenvelope handling features to be hereafter described any sheet foldingmeans can be provided.

When the envelope has been fully pushed onto funnel 26 and the foldedsheet has been inserted into it, the cam 87 reaches a position where itpermits spring 84 to start moving funnel 26 down towards its Figure 8position, and when it reaches that position the envelope and itscontents are squeezed between the funnel and ejector rollers 154 whichstrip the filled envelope downwardly off the funnel 26 and it drops downinto the sealing device 32 with its lower end entering slot 94 and theflap 40 extending generally upwardly as in Figure 3. As the funnel movesdownwardly accidental dropping off of the envelope is prevented byspring surfaces 115.

Referring to Figures 3, 9 and 10, the filled unsealed envelope 38 isillustrated after it drops into sealing assembly 32 where it standsupright in slot 94 resting by gravity on stop 93. At this point the cams103 and 109 act in timed relation to close the flap 40 and seal it.First cam 103 and spring 102 coact through lever 99 and link 97 to swingsupport plate 89 to its Figure 9 position shown in dotted lines andduring this operation flap 40 contacts spring loops 117 which fold theflap toward the envelope body. Then cam 109 and spring 108 coact withlever 107 and link to rock the compression plate 92 counterclockwise tothe Figure 10 solid line position where the envelope flap is compressedflat against the heated element 88, and since either the flap or theadjacent envelope bo dy section are coated with heat sensitive adhesivethe flap is thereby sealed to the envelope body. During this action thesupport plate 89 swings back to its original position.

After sealing, compression plate 92 is pulled back to its dotted lineposition of Figure 10 and the envelope is free to drop all the waythrough slot 94 when stop 93 is removed, this latter being eflected intimed relation through eccentrically driven link 113 and arm 111. Theenvelope is thereby delivered to a hopper and for such other handling asmay be required.

Referring to Figure 11 the paper sheet feeding arrangements at 36 areessentially the same asin Figure 3, and the topmost sheet or unit ofsheets to be folded is advanced by reciprocation of feed elements 124into the pass formed by friction covered rollers and 161, one of whichis driven as by belt 162. After emerging from pass 160, 161 the sheetslides along support surface 163 until it enters the friction rollerpass 164, 165. Roller 165 is fixed upon a shaft 166 carrying a pulley167 motor driven by belt 168. In turn shaft 166 is directly geared (notshown) to shaft 169 that carries roller 164-, and shaft 169 is connectedby a suitable pulley to drive belt 162.

The sheet or unit 120 is first pushed into chute 171 that is slotted at172 for reception and adjustment of stop pins 173 like those at 138, andwhen the leading sheet edge abuts pins 173 the rear portion buckles andthe first fold is formed and forced into roller pass 164, 175

which forces it into the second fold 'chute 176 slotted at 177 'forreception and adjustment "of stop pins 178. After the second foldh'asbeen made, the zefold'ed 'sheet enters the funnel feed pass thatcomprises driven roller 175 and a rotatable pressure roller 179 that isurged by gravity 'or spring pressure (not shown) toward the drivenroller 175. The end shaft projections of roller 179 are disposed invertical guide slots 181 in the support 182.

1A fixed magazine 183 is open at its lower end and for asmall distance184 along one side edge as shown in Figure 11. If desired sidewall 185is vertically adjustable so that opening'184 is substantially of aheight equal to the thickness of the vsheet, card or other element 185,single thickness or prefolded, stacked in the magazine, as by micrometeradjustment 186,so'that only the bottomriiost sheet or other element isfed out of the magazine with operation.

The'stack of elements in magazine 183 rests'on rollers 187 which havetheir ends journalled in arms 188 (one shown).

. 212 has 'its end shaft projections 213 journalled in blocks Theprojecting end shafts 189 of rollers 187 j are slidable in horizontalslots 191 in opposite support sides. to the upper ends of levers 193that in turn are pivoted on support 121 at 194. One lever 193 has areleasablepivot connection 195 to a link 196 that is pivoted toactuating lever 125 at 197.

Thus rollers 187 are reciprocated horizontally through link 128, lever125, link 196, levers 193 and arms 188 and since they are frictionsurfaced and the bottommost sheet or other element 185 is urgedthereupon they feed the bottommost element of the stack to the right inFigure 11 during each cycle. If desired a weight or spring can urge thestack downwardly.

. Opposite and aligned with the long narrow outlet opening 184 of themagazine is a roller pass consisting of a driven roller 198 and arotatable pressure roller 199 having its ends vertically slidablymounted in frame slots 201. Roller 198 is driven by belt 162 asillustrated. Each sheet or other element fed from the bottom of thestack by reciprocation of rollers 187 enters the roller pass 198, 199and is discharged into the space 202 at the lower end of chute 176 wherethe second fold is formed in sheet 120.

Disposed at space'202 is a fixed guide plate 203 that extendstransversely and serves as a guide for first folded sheets emerging frompass 164, 175 and moving toward chute 176. Plate 203 is preferablymounted on a support rod 204 fixed at opposite ends to support 182.Pivotally mounted on rod 204 is a gate plate or flap 205 that isshiftable between the full and dotted line portions of Figure 11,suitable means (not shown) being provided to hold it in either position.

'When flap 205 is in the full line position of Figure 11 the sheet orother element advanced by pass 198, 199 intospace 202 isinserted intothe second fold of the sheet 120, the parts being actuated in timedrelation to accomplish this end.

When 'no insert material is desired to be fed through magazine 183 andonly folded sheets 120 are to be introduced into the envelopes fed ontofunnel '26, the link 196 is disengaged at 195 and flap 205 is turned tothe closed dotted line position of Figure 11 where it serves as acontinuation of guide 203 and prevents the sheet 120 passing throughspace 202 from leaving chute 176 at this poin In operation the sheetfolding and envelope feeding is generally thesame as in the earlierembodiment, This phase of the invention makes it possible to introduceadditional material automatically into the folding sheets or'units 120before introduction into the envelope stufling funnel. p

In 'theembodiment illustrated in Figure 12, there are provided adifferent envelopeflapopening arrangement and a difierentassembly ofthefu'nnel and the roller The rear ends of arms 188 are pivoted at 192214 resiliently urged by pivoted lever 215 and spring 216 so as toprovide 'a roller feed pass 211, 212. Shaft 209 also carries a pulley217 connected by belt 218 with the pulley on the shaft of roller 65 andwith pulley 219 on the rotatable shaft 221 Whichcarries the frictionrollers 222 for stripping the filled envelopes off the funnel. Suitabledrive means (not shown tinuously rotates shaft 223 from motor 64, j

The magazine 224 is adjustable as to envelope width by the slot andscrew means indicated at 225, and is adjustable as to envelope length ina direction at right angles to the plane of Figure 12 bythe screwadjustment indicated at 226. The envelopes 38 are stacked therein, emptyand unsealed with flaps 40 closed and on the bottom side as in allembodiments, An opening 227 is provided in the bottom of magazine 224whereby hooks or claws 228 having sha'rp'tips 229 may open the flap 40of the bottommost envelope. v

Two such claws 228 are provided, one at each end of shaft 223 andadjacent the opposite ends of the envelope flaps. The arrangement at oneside is shown in Figure 12 and this is duplicated at the other side.Each claw is pivoted at 231 upon a disc 232 fixed on shaft 223 and anarm 233 rigid with claw 228 has its free also conend connected bytension spring 234 to anchor 235 on the disc. Spring 234 thusresiliently urges claw 228 counterclockwise, a stop pin 235' beingprovided to define the limitposition.

Adjacent each claw 228 and spaced inwardly therefrom is a spring bladeor finger 236 fixed at one end upon the shaft as at 237 and having anenvelope flap engaging arcuate end portion 238. Thus, as shaft 223rotates counterclockwise, once during each revolution the claws 228 openthe flap 40 of the bottommost envelope and swing it toward the feedpass. The resilient claw mountings prevent damage should the clawsencounter a solid frame or other part accidentally. The sharp claw tipsinsure opening of the flap 40. The spring fingers 236 follow behind theclaws and engage the flap 40 to hold it open and urge it up toward thesurface of roller 65 even after the claws have started to move away fromthe flap.

The rollers 66 in this embodiment are mounted on a frame 239 comprisingspaced arms 241 rigidly connected by a cross bar 242 and mountednon-rotatably upon a rockshaft 243. Frame 239 is adapted to swingbetween thefull and dotted line positions of Figure 12. Also mounted torock with shaft 243 is the funnel assembly 26 which here is supported byrigid side members 244 later described in Figures 13-15.

Shaft 243 may be rocked through a predetermined angle during each cycleof operation as by pivotally connecting a radial arm 245 rigid therewithto an eccentrically driven link 246 similar to link 79 of Figure 8.During operation shaft 243 is rocked in timed relation to the action ofclaws 228 sothat the frame 239 and funnel 26 are rocked as a unit intothe envelope filling position shown in dotted lines after the envelopeflap 40 has been disposed in the open feed pass. The flap 40 is grippedby the roller pass 65, 66 and fed onto funnel 26 as in the earlierembodiments. After the envelope is stufied, the funnel and frame 239 arerocked as a unit down to the full line position of Figure 12, and atthis point the filled envelope on the funnel is pressed against ejectorrollers 222 which strip it down be the funnel and 9 toward a sealing orother handling device as may be desired.

The sheet material to be inserted into the envelopes thus pushed overthe funnel by roller pass 65, 66 is placed upon a trough assembly havinga fixed front wall 247 and an inclined bottom wall 248 pivoted upon thesupport as by a rigid mounting arm 249 and a pivot post 250. Wall 248 isdepressed by the operator until it hits the fixed stop 251, and then thematerial is pushed by the operator into the feed roller pass 211, 212which feeds it into the funnel 26. it will be appreciated that thematerial may comprise prefolded or preassembled sheets, cards,pamphlets, etc. Also a folding device according to one of the earlierembodiments may be located between pass 211, 212 and the mouth of thefunnel.

In order to limit operation of the apparatus to one cycle and enable theoperator to place a fresh charge of material upon wall 243 as desired, asuitable controlled one-revolution clutch arrangement is provided. Fixedupon shaft 223 is a disc 252 the outer member of which carries a tooth253 adapted to engage a stop plunger 254 slidably mounted on the supportat 255 and 256. A collar 257 is fixed on plunger 254 and a compressionspring 253 normally urges the plunger toward the path of tooth 253.

A latch element 259 has an end hook 261 engaged under collar 257, andits other end is pivoted at 262 to the end of a link 263 pivoted at itsrear and at 264 to a lever 265 which is rigid with arm 249 and turnswith arm 249 about the pivot 250. A tension spring 266 biases lever 265counterclockwise and tends to keep wall 248 in the illustrated solidline position. A roller 267 abuts the rear end of plunger 254- and bearsagainst the side of latch 259. Roller 267 is mounted on the end of ashort lever 268 freely pivoted on the support at 269. A tension spring271 biases latch 259 toward its solid line position.

Thus, as the operator depresses the wall 243 in order to feed thematerial into the roller pass, link 263 is pulled rearwardly in Figure12 thereby displacing plunger 254 rearwardly to release tooth 253 forrotation of shaft 223 and causing clockwise rocking of lever 268 untillatch 259 is displaced to the dotted line position of Figure 12. Thisreleases plunger 254 for spring return to the path of tooth 253, andlatch 259 is spring returned to hook under collar 257. When tooth 253comes around again it is stopped by the plunger and this stops shaft223. Preferably a friction clutch (not shown) is provided between shaft223 and the drive from motor 64 to permit this operation.

Referring to Figures 13, 14 and 15 a funnel size adjustment adapting thefunnel to different length envelopes is illustrated as applied to thefunnel assembly of Figure 12. The funnel comprises a top center plate271 having one end crimped about or otherwise secured upon a transverserod 272 as at 273, and top and bottom side plates 274 and 275 connectedat their outer ends by edge plates 276. Only one side is shown inFigures 14 and 15, and the funnel side and edge plate structure isduplicated at the other side.

Each side member 244 is apertured to be laterally slidably supported onboth shaft 243 and rod 272 which are parallel. At their opposite endsshaft 243 and rod 272 are pinned non-rotatably to bridge members 277,and shaft 243 is rotatably supported in the support walls as indicatedat 278 in Figure 14. An adjustment shaft 279 has an operating handle 231outside the machine cover 282 and passes through an elongated slot 283in the support end walls. Shaft 279 passes rotatably through bridges 277as at 284 and freely through members 244 at 285, and inwardly of eachbridge shaft 279 has a threaded portion 286 that is threaded into abracket 10 287 rigidly connecting each plate 275 and side -member 244.

Thus, when shaft 279 is rotated by manipulation of handle 281, eachfunnel side slides oppositely as a unit with side members 244 as shownin Figure 15, shaft 279 having no longitudinal displacement because ofshoulders 288. The areas 286 are oppositely threaded at the oppositeends of shaft 279. Plate 271 remains stationary during this adjustment,interleaving with plate 274 to effectively close the top of the openingbetween the two relatively adjustable funnel sides.

The foregoing adjustment is maintained during any rocking movement ofthe entire funnel with rock shaft 243, slot 253 in the support and asimilar slot in the cover permitting such movement. This adjustment maybe incorporated in any of the foregoing embodiments.

The term funnel as used in the claims unless otherwise recited is notlimited to the specific structures shown in the drawings, but isintended to embrace any device onto which an open envelope may be fed atone end into which sheet material conditioned for the envelope is fed atthe other end.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

\Vhat is claimed and desired to be secured by United ,States LettersPatent is:

1. In an envelope handling and filling apparatus, means providing astack of empty unsealed envelopes with closed flaps downwardly disposed,envelope feeding means, funnel means having a predetermined envelopereceiving and filling position, means for opening the flap of thebottommost envelope and introducing it into said feeding means, meanseffective after introduction of said flap into said feeding means forrendering said feeding means operable to remove said bottommost envelopefrom the stack, and feed it onto said funnel means where it ismaintained in opened condition, means in said apparatus for supplyingsheet material to be folded and for folding said sheet material in aplurality of successive operations characterized in that the finalfolding operation is accompanied by actuation of said means to thrustthe folded sheet material into said funnel means while the latter is insaid predetermined position so that said folded sheet material isenclosed within said envelope while the funnel means remains in saidpredetermined position, and means for removing the filled envelope fromsaid funnel means.

2. In an envelope handling apparatus, means providing a stack of emptyunsealed envelopes with closed flaps downwardly disposed, a feed rollerpass located adjacent the bottom of said stack, said roller pass beingopen at the beginning of each envelope handling cycle, means for openingthe flap of the bottommost envelope of said stack and inserting it intothe said open roller pass, means for then closing the roller pass andactuating the latter to extract said bottommost envelope from saidstack, and means separate from said flap opening means operable aftersaid flap opening means has opened the bottommost envelope flap forengaging and holding open said flap until said roller pass is closed.

3. In combination, means providing a stack of empty unsealed envelopeswith closed flaps downwardly disposed, means for opening the flap ofbottommost envelope of said stack, a funnel pivotable between anenvelope receiving position and a downwardly tilted position, feed meansfor gripping the opened flap of the opened bottommost envelope andfeeding the latter onto said funnel, means operable for pivoting saidfunnel means prior to said gripping of said flap by said feed 3 means.

I 4. In combination 'withmeans providing a'stack of empty unsealedenvelopes with their flaps closed and disposed downwardly, envelopefeeding means adjacent the bottom of said stack, means for opening-thefiap of the bottommost envelope comprising a finger moving through apath and {having a relatively sharp tip'that inserts between the flapand the envelope body, and

means for cyclically moving said finger through said.

path comprising resilient means actuating said finger at least duringtheportion of said path during which the flap is being opened.

5 5. In combination, a rpivoted envelope filling funnel,

means for feeding an open envelope over one end of said funnel,comprising a feed roller driven about a wardly disposed, an envelopefilling funnel pivoted ad jacent one end to shift between'an envelopedischarge position and an angularly displaced sheet material andenvelope receiving position, said funnel being open-at said pivoted end,feed means for introducing sheet mate rial into said funnel disposednear said open end comprising sheet folding mechanism arranged todischarge folded sheets in succession into said funnel, and means fixedaxis and a pressure roller mounted to move with envelope thereon intosaid stripping means.

for intermittently feeding sheets into said folding mechanism, envelopefeed means comprising a fixed a ds feed roller near the bottom of saidstack and a shiftable roller adapted in one position to coact with saidfeed roller todefine an envelope feeding pass and movable to another andinoperative position whereby said pass is open to permit an envelope tobe introduced, means for intermittently extracting envelopes fromthebottom of said stack and feeding them into said pass, a driven cam shaftcomprising a cyclically operating flap opening finger for opening theflap of the bottommost envelope and moving it toward said pass, and cam12 'means on said shaft for operating said-intermittent sheet feedingmeans, pivoting said funnel between said osi- 'tions, actuating saidfiap opening finger and moving-said shiftable roller between its 1operative "and --inoperaitive positions allin timed relation. p I

7. In an envelope filling apparatus, means providing a stack of emptyunsealed envelopes, an envelope filling funnel, means for opening thebottommost envelopeof said stack, means for feeding said opened envelopeonto said funnel, said funnel having an open end means for introducingsheet material into the open end of said funnel, and means controlled bysaid sheet material introducing means for actuating said envelopeopening means through a single cycle during which said envelope .isopenedand conditioned to coact with said envelope feeding means.

8. In the apparatus defined in claim 7, said sheet material introducingmeans comprising a member-moved to a predetermined .control positionwhile said sheet material is being advanced into said funnel, and saidactuating means comprising a device operated by move ment of said memberto control activation of said envelope opening means.

9. In the apparatus defined in claim 8, said device comprising a latchfor said envelope opening means coupled by a motion transmitting linkwith said member.

10. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, said means for removing thefilled envelope comprising envelope stripping means and means forshifting said funnel means from said predetermined position to introducethe filled References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS

